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Monday, September 12, 2016

Flags of Valor

To commemorate the 15th anniversary of the September 11 terror attacks on the United States, America's Heartland Remembers put 7,021 flags on display at Art Hill in Forest Park. Each flag has a photograph and dog tags of a fallen member of the military killed in the war on terror. The flags were arranged in rows, spanning the entire hill, and were a spectacular, powerful, heartbreaking and haunting sight. I took Mim to see the flags and we were just in awe - it was so humbling and overwhelming. We spent a lot of time looking at the photographs of the service men and women and visited the flag representing all those that died in the 9/11 attacks. My heart hurts just thinking of explaining all of this to her someday. I so badly want her to grow up in a world without hate and violence, but I'm also proud that there are so many unbelievably brave and honorable people willing to sacrifice so much for that goal. May we all never forget.

15 comments:

Wow Sarah! These photos are absolutely gorgeous and so heartbreaking. Mim looks so sweet and I love her sitting with the flags and running between them. What a neat thing to be able to take her to. I ache thinking about teaching them about this someday. It is so important in our history and a day I will never forget, but I ache thinking that they will grow up in a world where people are turning to violence instead of love and forgiveness. Why can't people spend more time listening, trying to understand others, and showing kindness instead of the opposite. I guess it's up to us to teach our babes that kindness is what matters and changes the world.

Ever since I saw the picture of Mim on IG I hoped you would post about this! I knew you had more gorgeous pictures to share. I cannot even imagine how powerful and heartbreaking this is to see in person. What a great tribute to those who paid the ultimate sacrifice! Mason heard Nathan and I talking about it the other day and asked what 15 years ago was. We only briefly told him and didn’t go into any details. Even at 6 years old I am not ready to tell him all about it just yet.

I can't believe it's been fifteen years already. It still feels so vivid. The contrast of sweet Mim's innocence next to what all those flags represent is really heartbreaking. Praying for a more loving and compassionate world for our kids all the time.